The western part of the city has been shelled since 4 a.m. local time

DONETSK, July 21. /ITAR-TASS/. Armored vehicles of Kiev law enforcement agencies try to break through to a railway station in the city of Donetsk, Deputy Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Andrei Purgin told ITAR-TASS on Monday.

“The tank column tries to break from the local railway station to the local airport. The gunfire is very intensive, blasts are heard loudly even in the centre of the city,” he said.

The western part of the city has been shelled since 4 a.m. local time (2 a.m. UTC) on Monday from Grad multiple launch rocket systems, local residents told ITAR-TASS. Heavy weapons are used and explosions are heard.

The political crisis in Ukraine led to the formation of many armed groups on its territory. Infographics by ITAR-TASS

Ukrainian warplanes delivered an air strike by unguided rocket projectiles at the railway station in the city of Donetsk on Monday morning. Around six projectiles were fired. Railway tracks and a locomotive were damaged in projectile blasts. The marketplace is on fire. The mayor’s office noted that the bus terminal was closed and the traffic was restricted.

Defense Minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic Igor Strelkov noted that “Ukrainian army units have broken into the settlement of Avdiivka and are moving to the railway station from there.” “At the same time our positions are attacked near Peski, Karlivka and Netailove,” he said, adding that “Tanks and marines on armored infantry assault vehicles are used with massive support of artillery guns.”

It was reported earlier that Donetsk militias were fighting with Ukrainian army units near the missile formation outside Donetsk.